Creative Cauldron Presents Nevermore

Tonight marks the 162nd anniversary of Edgar Allan Poe’s death. Celebrate the renowned author and poet’s literary output with the premiere of Nevermore at ArtSpace Falls Church.

Creative Cauldron, the non-profit arts organization that manages and operates ArtSpace, presents the haunting musical written by Matt Conner with lyrics adapted from Poe’s writings. Nevermore premiered at Signature Theatre in 2006 to critical acclaim.

Conner has been a teaching artist with Creative Cauldron for 10 years and has written other shows for the Cauldron including The Selfish Giant and the upcoming Eddie Allan Poe. His inspiration to write the music for Nevermore developed after being drawn to Poe’s poetry.

“The poetry revealed itself in a beautiful meter with wonderful words that bled into melodies and lyrics,” Conner said. “This led me into creating several poems into songs beginning the journey into Nevermore.”

Conner, who is also directing the production, said that Nevermore’s debut at Creative Cauldron is going to be wonderful.

“It is a perfect space for such an intimate show,” he said.

Actor Sean Thompson, who plays Poe in the musical, said it has been extremely rewarding to be able to be directed by the composer of the pieces.

“Opportunities like this do not come often,” Thompson said. “Usually, actors are required to perform under the vision and interpretation of a director probably not directly involved with the writing process. Here, we get the interpretation right from the horse's mouth!”

Thompson has appeared locally at Signature Theatre as Artie in Sunset Boulevard and Charles in And the Curtain Rises. He said taking on the role of Poe has challenged and expanded his acting chops.

“It calls for a very strict sense of focus,” he said. “I cannot let go or let my attention slip for the slightest second.”

Thompson said the production is guaranteed to thrill. “It has beautifully soaring music including a cello and a violin, Poe's own masterful poetry, thoughtful, real, emotional dialogue, and some of the finest talent with which I've had the pleasure of working,” he said.

“It's an inside look at a writer whose life has intrigued curious readers for over 150 years. It includes tellings of some of Poe's best-known, well-loved works like ‘The Cask of Amontillado,’ ‘The Pit and the Pendulum,’ ‘The Masque of the Red Death,’ ‘Annabel Lee’ and - of course, in a rousing, soul-stirring company number – ‘The Raven.’”

Margie Jervis, the scenic director for the production, described Nevermore as a very emotional and intense piece.

“It flows from realistic moments of memory, to hallucinations and fantasy,” she said. “To strike the balance of all these elements in the environment was very important.”

Jervis designed and chose furniture and architecture that combines references to a house in mourning, a library, a cemetery and a theater. 

“The many-layered associations provide Matt Conner and the actors with many ways to physically tell the story,” she said.

Jervis described the actors in Nevermore as some of the best voices in musical theater in the D.C. area.

“The harmonies of the whole ensemble are so lush,” she said. “The music just goes right to your heart. They are also all wonderful actors and you will be fascinated by how Poe's story is told.”

Conner reiterated the talent among cast members.

“[Nevermore] features an amazing cast from the area,” he said.  “It’s a chance to see the show in an intimate space and a wonderful chance to support the arts in your local theaters.”

Nevermore runs through Sunday, Oct. 30.

Friday, Oct. 7, 8 p.m. - Sunday, Oct. 30, times vary; $22-$25
410 South Maple Ave.; (571) 239-5288